How to Create a Small Business Barcode Inventory System?

Inventory management is important for many businesses, large and small. While it is possible to track inventory manually or with a spreadsheet, adopting a barcode inventory system is more efficient in the long run. With a barcode inventory system, you can control your inventory and save time, money and unnecessary work.

 

What is a barcode?

A barcode is an image containing numbers or text that represents data graphically. The image contains information, which can be quickly transferred to a computer through a scanner.

 

1D Barcodes:

1D barcodes are made up of vertical black lines and the space between the lines allows the scanner to identify the product.

 

2D Barcodes:

2D barcodes are usually square in shape and are made up of various dots and shapes that contain data. These barcodes can store more data than 1D barcodes. 2D barcodes can also hold website information, which you can access by scanning the barcode with your phone.

 

Why Do We Need Barcodes?

With more inventory to handle, the barcode inventory system becomes more important as the business grows. Implementing it will help you to prepare for the future and you will also get various benefits in the meantime!

The barcode inventory system is more accurate than manually keeping inventory. With barcodes, human error can be greatly reduced and your inventory will contain more accurate data. In fact, studies have shown that for every 250 keystrokes, a person makes at least one data-entry error. There is an error behind every 36 trillion characters scanned in a computer.

You can easily decide what you have in stock and what you don't by barcode. When a customer buys a product, you can scan the barcode and remove it immediately from your inventory record. You will always have up-to-date inventory data, which will enable you to make the right business decisions.

All your products can be read instantly with the barcode on your inventory and the data can be easily uploaded to the computer. This will greatly speed up the customer checking process after the transaction. Instead enter each product and calculate the total price by hand.

 

How to get started?

Creating a barcode inventory system is less expensive than most people believe.

You must first create a product code. Universal Product Code (UPC) or Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) can be used.

UPC can be found on almost any product and is certified for commercial use. To get a UPC, you must first register on Global Standard 1 to receive a unique code for your business. This code is useful for identifying and tracking merchandise worldwide.

UPC offers many benefits. It can protect your company's brand from theft, allow you to sell on Amazon, give customers access to product details, and can be used in most inventory management systems. UPC is generally 12 digits and is used for external purposes.

You can also use a unique SKU number for each of your products. SKU codes can be generated manually or automatically by inventory management software. SKU is unique and is generally eight digits. It is used for internal functions like stock tracking.

Then,

For each product code, you must create a barcode. To make barcodes free, you can use online barcode generator or barcode software.

The next step is to print your barcode. Along with label sheets, most traditional inkjet and laser printers can print barcodes. Thermal printers are ideal for creating barcode labels. Thermal printers cost much less than inkjet and laser printers. Thermal printers are much easier to maintain, they last longer than traditional printers and are faster and quieter. Thermal labels are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. If you are new to thermal printers, you should read how to print barcodes and shipping labels.

 

Choosing a Scanner

If you do not have a scanner to read the information in the barcode, then having a barcode is useless. When it comes to buying a barcode scanner, you have some options.

If you want mobility and flexibility you can get a wireless scanner. This scanner requires a battery and you should always have a backup battery in your hand. These scanners are ideal for real-time inventory management as they do not require a power cord. With a wireless scanner, you can save data on a memory card and then insert it into a computer, connect to a computer via Bluetooth, or purchase a scanner that stores data on the device itself.

There is also the option of a wired scanner. Wired scanners are generally less expensive than wireless scanners, however, they do not offer as much versatility. The scanner and the computer on which you are storing inventory information must be connected. Wired scanners are easy to use and ideal for checking customers.